Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir, India’s fascinating northernmost state consists of three regions differing in topography and culture. Jammu was the stronghold of Hindu Dogra kings and abounds with popular temples and secluded forest retreats. Kashmir’s capital city, Srinagar offers delightful holidays on the lakes with their shikaras and houseboats.

Ladakh is the northern most province of the state, with a bleak terrain of barren mountains. Hilltop monasteries and a colourful way of life, completely at one with the surroundings, make Ladakh one of the best living traditions of Tibetan Buddhism in the world today.

Amongst the three regions of Jammu & Kashmir State, Jammu, perhaps, offers the widest diversity of terrain and beauty. The entire region is pocketed with lakes and valleys, some still little explored. The foundation of the settlement of Jammu is attributed to King Jambulochan of the 9th century BC. In 1730 AD, it came under the Dogra rule of Raja Dhruv Deva and Jammu became an important centre for arts and culture, now renwned as the Pahari School. Religion, too, played an important part in its development, so beautifully evidenced in its various shrines and temples spread throughout the region.

Area: 20.36 km²
Altitude: 305 metres
Temperature (°C):
Summer: Max 39.9, Min 23.4
Winter: Max 20.2, Min 4.5
Rainfall: 107 cms (June to September)
Clothings: Summer- Light cottons, Winter- Heavy woollens
Languages Spoken: Dogri, Kashmiri, Hindi, English
Best Season: Throughout the year

How to get there

	Air: Indian Airlines connect Jammu with Delhi, Leh and Shrinagar.
	Rail: Jammu Tawi, the railway station to reach Jammu, is connected by rail to Kolkata (Calcutta), Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Channai (Madras) and other main cities in India.
	Road: Jammu, on N.H.no 1A, is connected by good all-weather roads to all parts of India. Some of the road distances are:- Amritshar 243 kms, Chandigarh 436 kms, Delhi 586 kms, Katra 48 kms, Shrinagar 305 kms, Manali 428 kms.
	Local Transport: Coaches, Tourist Taxis, Other Taxis, Scooter Rickshawas, Tongas, Matador Mini Buses and City Bus Services available. Bus: J & K State Road Transport Corporation as well as some other State Road Transport Corporations (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh) service Jammu to and from various major places in North India providing deluxe & ordinary buses.

Places of Interest

• Ranbireshwar Temple
• Raghunath Temple (Raghunath Bazar)
• Raghunath Temple (Purani Mandi)
• Ranbir Canal (3.5 kms)
• Bahu Fort (5 kms)
• Bage Bahu (5 kms)
• Amar Mahal Palace Museum
  (Ramnagar, Tel.45676, Timming: 1000-1200 & 1500-1700 hrs for six days and 1000-1200 hrs only for Sundays, Closed on State holidays, Entrance Fee: Rs.5)
• Dogra Art Gallery
  (Gandhi Bhawan, Opp. New Secretariat, Timmings: 1100-1700 in winter & 0730-1300 hrs in summer, Closed on Mondays).

Excursions

• Akhnoor: 32 kms. Regular bus-services available from Jammu.
• Batote: 113 kms, 1560 metres. Health Resort on the Jammu-Shrinagar highway.
• Kud: 106 kms, 1738 metres. Resort on Jammu-Shrinagar highway.
• Mansar Lake: 80 kms. Regular bus-services available from Jammu.
• Purmandal (Chhota Kashi): 39 kms. Religious place connected by bus with Jammu. Accommodation is available in pilgrim shelters.
• Patnitop: 112 kms, 2024 metres. A resort & picnic spot on the Jammu-Shrinagar highway.
• Ramban: 148 kms.
• Ramnagar: 102 kms. Regular bus-services available from Jammu.
• Sanasar: 129 kms, 2079 metres. 19 kms from Patnitop, slightly away from the National Highway.
• Sudhmahadev: 120 km, 1225 metres.
• Surinsar Lake: 42 kms. Picturesque spot. Accommodation available in huts.
• Kishtwar High Altitude National Park: 248 kms.